Hmmm.... good topic idea. I would like to see the OTC go up until the EP3 mass release, and after the EP3 craze dies down, I would like to see a unified Ultimate SAGA line with characters from all 6 films being packaged on retro-vintage cards.

Hmmm.... good topic idea. I would like to see the OTC go up until the EP3 mass release, and after the EP3 craze dies down, I would like to see a unified Ultimate SAGA line with characters from all 6 films being packaged on retro-vintage cards.

SilverZ

I was going to post this in the OTC recard-ying-yang thread since I’m riffing on DoctorPadawan’s fantasy OTC line, but I got to thinking, and went tangential… I guess this is the best place to post some thoughts on the future. I’m so thrilled with the OTC packaging that I want more of it, and even want PT stuff in it. I’m also terrified that the OTC line is going to bomb because of all the recards. So what is going to happen, come 2005?

So here’s my little fantasy world scenario:

Let’s assume (which, as we all know, makes an “ass” out of “u” and “me”) that OTC as we know it ends in 2004, as Hasbro seems to be saying, with the “collect all 38 OTC figures” text splashes on their packaging. What replaces it? Two lines, one OT, one PT? Or another unified line, a sort of new Saga line?

A new unified line (bear with me as I put my fanboy fantasy cap on):

Star Wars: The Unity of the Force

The OTC silver-on-black card design carries over, retaining the retro style with a full color background image from the figure’s relevant scene intact. Introduced to the design is a revamped POTF-style embossed saber handle. A Vader helmet outline is designed into the image or alternately the hands grasping the saber hilt or the gloved mechanical hands of Vader. The “UOTF” text appears just below the Star Wars logo at the top of the card. The bubble insert includes the episode title from which the figure appears.

This package design communicates the joining of the OT and PT sagas into one complete story, while also celebrating the most notable Kenner/Hasbro packaging designs from the past.

The objective of the line is to offer both new figures and re-releases of popular previous figures under a unified banner in a snap-shot of the line’s history. Essentially, a chance for someone who’s never bought a modern era figure to get the very best of what’s been available along with brand new figures that meet those classics’ quality bar.

The Release Strategy

We’d see this line launch with preview figures from Episode 3 in late 2004/early 2005. Following assortments through April/May (and the release of the new film) would be Prequel-era focused. This would include figures from The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones along with continued Ep3 preview fig distribution. For example:

Come April, we would see a grand Ep3 focused line that continued through the summer. Within this timeframe, 1 per case re-releases of core characters from A New Hope enter the line, bridging the gap from PT to OT. For example:

- VOTC Ben- Darth Vader - C3P0- Tarkin (New sculpt)

Come September, this line settles down into a modern Saga line with figures from all 6 Episodes. We see several new Ep3 figures released for the video/DVD.

Simple. I want it to last 'til I get every damned character from the OT - background or otherwise. Super articulated, neutrally posed, fully accessorized. Better complete my entire Cantina, Sandcrawler, and Jabba's Palace dioramas as well!

As for what I think should happen over the course of the next year or two, this is what I think Hasbro should/would do:

OTC (plus some "PTC") running up through April, when the Ep. 3 figures should come out. I don't see the OTC line ending at the end of the year, 'cause what would they do for the next 4 months of 2005? Nothing? They're certainly not going to design a new card just for that short time period, that's for sure. I'd also guess that any new card design will debut with the release of the Ep. 3 figures in April.

So after the OTC card runs up to April, I think Hasbro should start a new line exclusively for the Ep. 3 merchandise, and just continue to run the beautiful OTC card for all figures from Ep. 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6, and "Saga II". Why not? It's the best card design ever, and should be the card that just runs the Star Wars line to it's end, whenever that may be. After a year or so, Hasbro could just merge all of the remaining Ep. 3 figures into the "OTC" designed line, and just let it run it's course. I don't want to see any other card designs again, aside for something for Ep. 3, for SW figures ever. Just the cool silver and black retro look, with the sweet scene specific backdrop diorama. That's it!

Hopefully Hasbro's listening again (like they apparently were when I suggested they could recard every figure ever into the OTC line)...

I am going to state what I think, so please do not jump on me to bad. Let the OTC die in February. Then let Ep. III come out in April and then run into 2006, merging into a final line. Finally in 2008 let the line die for 2 years prior to the next release of Lucas' new director cut in 2010.

Logged

"For too long gentleness has been equated with weakness. Yet it takes more strength to be gentle than to be mean."